The Most Famous Gin and Tonic Brands from Costa Rica
Costa Rica is widely admired for its coffee, rum, and sustainable food culture. In recent years, it has also joined the global gin renaissance, producing small-batch gins that highlight the country’s tropical biodiversity. With ingredients sourced from its volcanoes, rainforests, and coastal plains, Costa Rica’s craft gins are building a reputation for freshness, eco-consciousness, and innovation. Though rum still dominates, gin & tonic has become a fashionable drink in San José’s cocktail scene and beach towns like Tamarindo, Jacó, and Puerto Viejo.
A Short History of Gin in Costa Rica
Like many Latin American countries, gin first appeared in Costa Rica as an import — British and Spanish brands such as Gordon’s, Beefeater, and Larios dominated bars and hotels throughout the 20th century.
The shift came in the 2010s, when craft distilleries inspired by Costa Rica’s eco-tourism movement began experimenting with small-batch gins made from local botanicals. Today, Costa Rica produces several artisanal gins, each designed to express the country’s landscapes, while imported gins remain staples in resorts and bars.
Famous Costa Rican Gin Brands
1. Sibö Gin – The Artisan Favorite
Distillery: Sibö Spirits, Costa Rica
Named after the Bribri god Sibö, this gin reflects the country’s indigenous and ecological heritage.
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Botanicals: Juniper, cacao nibs, coffee beans, cardamom, ginger, and citrus.
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Style: Smooth, complex, with notes of chocolate and spice.
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Reputation: A highly respected craft gin, often cited as Costa Rica’s flagship brand.
2. Rainforest Dry Gin – Nature in a Bottle
Produced by a boutique distillery focusing on Costa Rica’s biodiversity.
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Botanicals: Rainforest herbs, citrus, vanilla, and allspice.
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Style: Bright and aromatic, with tropical and herbal undertones.
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Reputation: A favorite among eco-conscious drinkers and tourists.
3. Volcán Gin – Inspired by Costa Rica’s Volcanoes
Crafted with volcanic spring water and botanicals grown near the slopes of Arenal.
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Botanicals: Juniper, hibiscus, pineapple, lemongrass, and volcanic herbs.
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Style: Fruity and floral, with earthy depth from volcanic minerals.
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Reputation: Marketed as an adventurous, terroir-driven gin.
4. Tico Dry Gin – The Local Everyday Gin
An affordable domestic gin, popular in supermarkets and bars.
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Style: A classic dry gin with a lighter profile.
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Cultural Role: Often mixed with Schweppes tonic or local sodas for casual gin & tonic serves.
5. Other Emerging Gins
Costa Rica’s craft distilling scene is young, and new gins are appearing, often tied to eco-lodges, coffee farms, or cacao cooperatives. These micro-batch gins use passionfruit, guava, starfruit, and native herbs, offering unique flavors for niche markets.
Imported Gin Brands in Costa Rica
While local gin is growing, international brands remain widely available:
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Gordon’s, Beefeater, Tanqueray – Everyday staples.
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Bombay Sapphire – A popular premium import.
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Spanish Gins (Gin Mare, Nordés, Puerto de Indias) – Strongly present due to Spanish influence in gastronomy and tourism.
Tonics in Costa Rica
1. Schweppes Tonic Water
The most common mixer, widely available across the country.
2. Fever-Tree (Imported Premium)
Highly popular in upscale cocktail bars in San José and beach resorts. Mediterranean and Indian Tonic varieties pair well with tropical Costa Rican gins.
3. Local Mixers
Costa Rican bartenders often substitute tonic with ginger ale or tropical sodas (pineapple soda, guava soda), creating uniquely Caribbean-style gin mixes.
Costa Rica’s Gin & Tonic Culture Today
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San José Cocktail Scene: Gin & tonic is central in trendy bars in Barrio Escalante and Santa Ana.
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Beach Resorts: Gin & tonics are popular in Tamarindo, Jacó, and Manuel Antonio, where tourists enjoy tropical twists on the classic.
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Serving Style: Inspired by Spanish gin-tonic culture, served in balloon glasses with elaborate garnishes.
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Garnishes: Pineapple slices, hibiscus flowers, coffee beans, cacao nibs, and fresh herbs.
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Eco Identity: Many Costa Rican gins are tied to sustainability, using organic botanicals and eco-friendly production.
Conclusion
Costa Rica may be small, but it is producing some of the most exciting and eco-conscious gins in Latin America. With artisanal stars like Sibö Gin, terroir-driven bottles like Rainforest Dry Gin and Volcán Gin, and accessible choices like Tico Dry Gin, the country offers gins that embody biodiversity, culture, and sustainability.
Paired with Fever-Tree or Schweppes, and garnished with cacao, coffee, or tropical fruits, Costa Rican gin & tonics are vibrant, refreshing, and deeply tied to the land.
For gin enthusiasts, sipping a Costa Rican G&T is not just about flavor — it’s a journey through the rainforest, the volcanoes, and the pura vida lifestyle.
